By Kei Emmanuel Duku
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has bid farewell to Mr. Guang Cong, the outgoing Deputy Special Representative (Political Affairs) of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and Deputy Head of UNMISS. Mr. Cong’s tour of duty in the country has come to an end.
During his tenure, Mr. Cong served a crucial role as the second-in-command of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). His responsibilities included leading the mission’s political division, supporting the peace process, and ensuring the UN’s objectives were aligned with the needs of the South Sudanese government and its people. He worked closely with both the government and civil society to promote dialogue, stability, and reconciliation.
Following his meeting with President Kiir, Mr. Cong spoke to reporters, expressing his gratitude to the South Sudanese government and its citizens for their continuous support. He reaffirmed the UN’s unwavering commitment to continue supporting South Sudan in its pursuit of sustainable peace, stability, and prosperity.
Mr. Cong was appointed as the Deputy Special Representative (Political) on March 24, 2020. However, he has a longer history of service in South Sudan, having worked as the Director of Civil Affairs in UNMISS since 2016.
Mr. Cong’s departure follows his recent appointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. He will now be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will focus on leading initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and cooperation. His new role highlights the UN’s ongoing efforts to address complex challenges and foster stability across the wider region.